2026 Breakout Sessions

2026 Breakout Session Speakers

We are excited to present the following speakers for the breakout sessions on Friday and Saturday.

April Cook
An Instrument of God through Covenantal Embrace

“When the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel,
we can feel joy regardless of what is happening — or not happening — in our lives.”
—President Russell M. Nelson
In this class, we will explore the power of “covenantal embrace” with God in mindful stillness. How is it done you may wonder?
Come and learn! Drawing on the Lord’s enabling grace allows us to see ourselves and others with love, speak with kindness, hear with heart, and act with meaningful purpose. Jesus Christ is truly the means by which we experience joy in life.
I can’t wait to explore the joy of Jesus with you!

April Cook is currently on her second stint living in Tokyo, Japan, a total of 11 years thus far. She has been married to her best friend, Justin, for 31 years and has three wonderful children and an amazing son-in-law. April’s journey with Jesus has led her into interfaith work, humanitarian efforts, deep friendship, joy in cleaning her home (yes, you can make time for and experience God’s love while cleaning!), temple work, Church callings (currently Stake Public Affairs Director), meaningful motherhood, and a happy marriage.
April began her journey with Jesus Christ after a sincere and desperate prayer to Heavenly Father at age 20. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus took away her anger and sorrow, leaving her with a joyful peace. That answer to prayer began a life journey to seek Jesus Christ and His teachings in a desire to receive His grace and feel His peace every day. Her motto: “There is no better journey than with Jesus Christ.”

Dallas Frogget
Failing Forward: Battling Self-Doubt and Embracing Divine Purpose

Sometimes things have to fall apart to come together. Personal failure is not just inevitable, but spiritually meaningful. Through repeated setbacks, we can find deeper connection with God, discovering strength, growth, and even miracles in the aftermath of falling short. As one diagnosed early with ADHD, I’ve come to realize that I am going to fail… a lot. It is easy to get weighed down with discouragement. Join me to learn how I strive to fail forward–to learn, grow, and be refined from my failings, instead of letting them drag me down.

Dallas is a mother of three living in Seoul, South Korea. Previously working in the health sector as a Certified Nurse Assistant, Dallas learned to love hard work and serving others. Putting professional concerns aside, Dallas turned full-time mother in 2017, parenting alongside her husband as he joined the Foreign Service. As a family, they grow together as they move around the world meeting new friends along the way.

Maija-Liisa Adams
You Have a Story to Tell

“Lord, what would Thou have me do?” becomes a question answered through lived experience, reflection, and personal revelation — and those stories become spiritual inheritance for our children.

(pronounced MY-yuh LEE-Suh)
Maija-Liisa N. Adams was born in Idaho and raised on Finlandia Ranch. She graduated from Ricks College and Utah State University. She taught at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire before working in Silicon Valley as a Regional Sales Manager for WordPerfect Corporation. After a move to Utah and after the merger with $1.4 billion–valued Novell, she decided to take time off to start and raise a family. While in Rexburg, she began teaching adjunct at BYU–Idaho and launched Maija-Liisa Speaks, an Idaho-based global TEDx coaching firm that has helped over 100 clients prepare, deliver, and leverage TEDx talks. As a global keynote speaker, she has spoken in unusual settings like a castle in Ireland and an Ashram in India to 500,000 people. Now that was an experience! She currently teaches Public Speaking at Peking University through BYU’s Kennedy Center China Teacher Program.
Maija-Liisa has served in nearly every calling in the Relief Society and Young Women’s, and as a Primary teacher. She served as Inter-Chapter President of the Church’s sorority Lambda Delta Sigma at USU, was named National Woman of the Year, and later served as their Northern California Regional Advisor.
She enjoys traveling and looks forward to resuming weaving and learning to play the drums. She treasures time with her four children and three grandchildren. Her Finnish heritage and experiences living in Finland after Ricks College, where she worked at the International School of Helsinki, have deeply shaped her global perspective.

Rachel Welker
My Hour with God

My presentation will focus on one of the healing miracles I have experienced in my life when I acted in faith on the revelation I received, “Spend your first hour with God every single day, and I will make up the difference.” I’ll discuss how this miracle has shaped my everyday life (scripture study) and offered me the opportunity to augment my ability to listen and act on God's guidance after I ask the question, "Lord, what would Thou have me do?"

In August 2025, Rachel Welker earned her Master of Arts in Constitutional Government, Civics, and Law, building on a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Her thesis research at Pembroke College (University of Oxford) examined the definitional contours of Political Happiness within the American tradition. As an educator, Rachel specializes in immersive learning simulations that promote civic literacy and cultivate civil dialogue. She currently teaches Oral English at China Foreign Affairs University.
Beyond the classroom, Rachel finds joy in bookbinding, hosting dinner parties, traveling, and living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Though she doesn’t claim a favorite scripture, she treasures the verse “And Jesus wept.” Whether moved by sorrow or laughter, she is comforted by the presence of Christ in every moment of life.

ChenYing Lee
More Than I Could Imagine: Choosing Him, Step by Step

This presentation reflects on how life rarely unfolds as planned — yet through choosing Christ and seeking His will, we are led to outcomes far greater than we could imagine. Drawing from personal conversion and moments of divine guidance, it invites participants to recognize how Heavenly Father lovingly prepares our path. As we ask, “Lord, what would thou have me do?”, we discover purpose, peace, and a deeper partnership with Him.

I’m ChenYing Lee, a clinical psychologist and the Asia Area Family Services Agency Manager. I work with Church leaders and members across Asia to build emotional and mental health awareness and strengthen gospel-centered well-being. I joined the Church while studying in Massachusetts, guided by friends whose quiet, consistent service helped me learn to live the gospel. My journey—from temple service in Boston to mental health outreach in Malaysia and now across Asia—has taught me that when I sincerely ask, “Lord, what would Thou have me do?”, the path opens in beautiful and unexpected ways. I’ve served in various callings and find joy in connecting with members across cultures, with a special love for working with youth. I enjoy hiking and traveling, and feel closest to my Heavenly Father when surrounded by nature—particularly in the woods, where the Primary song “My Heavenly Father Loves Me” often comes to mind.

Heather Willoughby
Heeding the Voice of God: Whooshes, Whispers and Wails

When trying to answer the question, “Lord, what would thou have me do?” we must first contemplate how the Lord speaks to us. There are times when we may have a mere fleeting thought, a whoosh, passing through us, that nonetheless is a prompting from God. Other times we may hear the proverbial whispering of the Spirit, and finally, although rarer, there are instances when we are commanded to action with an unmistakable and distinct wail. This interactive class will help you determine how the Lord speaks to you, and how to more readily respond to His voice.

I live a full and adventurous life, attributing my contentment and cheery disposition to a stable, inventive, and humor-filled home-life provided by my parents, siblings, and extended family. Born and raised in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, I gained a love of the outdoors. I later had the opportunity to serve a mission in South Korea, during which time I became fascinated by the music and culture. This led me to pursue a Ph.D. at Columbia University in ethnomusicology. For the past 22 years, I have been a professor in the Graduate School of International Studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, where I share the diversity and wonders of global performing arts and cultures with students from throughout the world. It is my goal to visit every continent and (if possible) every country. If I can do so on a bicycle, that's even better. But I am also fully content to spend time at home with family and friends, surrounded by good food and good music. I recently had the opportunity to give a TEDx Talk about being true to our authentic selves by comparing my life experiences with that of Korea’s most well-known fictional character, Chunhyang. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkPVOeovxNQ&t=50s

Becky Giles
Trusting the Lord When the Path Isn't Yours

Sometimes life calls us to do things we don’t feel ready, qualified, or even willing to do. Yet, as we seek the Lord’s will and align our hearts with His, He strengthens, guides, and blesses us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. This session explores how trusting the Lord and acting on what we know leads to deeper wisdom, lasting peace, and becoming who we are intended to become.

Becky Giles is a mother of five amazing children and the youngest of five as well. Originally from Darnestown, Maryland, she grew up proud of her Guatemalan and Peruvian heritage and cherishes the warmth and culture of her Hispanic roots. She has lived in California, Utah, North Carolina, Indiana, and now calls Japan home. Becky holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Brigham Young University, where she met her husband 20 years ago. She is an active member of both her school and church communities, currently serving on the PTA board, as Primary chorister, and as a stake seminary teacher. She loves connecting with people, traveling the world, spending time with family, and walking their beloved labradoodle named Duke.

Christine Fowler
By Small and Simple Things

It is the sum of the small and simple things we do every day that makes us who we are. Together we’ll counsel together about how we can make tiny changes in our lives that will lead to great results. Come with an idea of a habit that you’d like to start or change.

Hi! My name is Christine Fowler, and I’m so excited to be a part of this year’s Asia Women’s Conference.
Places that are important to me: New York (where I grew up), Utah (where I went to school), Wyoming (where we have a home), and all the other places that have become home—North Carolina, California, Virginia, China, Costa Rica, India, the Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan (we are with the U.S. State Department).
People that are important to me: my husband, my four children, my extended family, and the friends who have become like family wherever we’ve lived. I am so lucky to also have a sister here in Hong Kong!
Purpose in my life: This group of women has a keen awareness of the more eternal and important purposes, but for the here and now, my purpose is continually evolving. I have worked in a variety of fields, including public affairs, teaching, writing, and publishing. I have a bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in Secondary English Education from Fordham University.
Pastimes I love: travel, exercise, reading, writing, playing the piano, family time, and so much more. As you all know, the problem can often be finding the time in “pastime.”

Nicki Hinton
The Fitness of Faith and Action

“The Savior cares more about my growth than He does my comfort” - Jonathan G. Sandberg
As a Church of action, we’ll study some of the members, especially women, of the early Church and the actions they took in answering the call. We all have a role to fulfill in the Lord’s plan. We’ll draw parallels with principles of fitness to see how we become stronger and closer to the person Christ intends us to be when we learn to push past our fears, distractions, and procrastinations.

Nicki Hinton was born in California, USA, and lived in two different countries and six different states before attending BYU, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Her studies and work took her to several US states, Vienna (Austria), and Arsi Negelle (Ethiopia). In 2010, she married Dustin Hinton in the Washington D.C. Temple and are now parents of three boys. She calls Kirtland, Ohio, home after living next to that historic city for almost eight years. She grew up hearing stories of a young prophet and church, doing service at the John Johnson Welfare Farm, and visiting Church history sites. Her family also spent time living close to significant Church history locations in Illinois and Missouri, nurturing a deep love for Church history. Nicki loves non-fiction stories of all kinds and comes from a family culture of storytelling. Thus, she always “has a story for that.”
Since meeting her husband, they have moved with the US State Department, living in Frankfurt (Germany), Bangkok (Thailand), and currently reside in Taipei (Taiwan). Nicki is a Certified Personal Trainer and is usually found exploring or traveling with her family, in the kitchen, exercising, or hand sewing her quilt. Nicki served as the 2024 and 2025 Asia Area English FSY Registration and Travel Coordinator where she has developed a deep love for the youth and members of the Asia Area.

Sloan Guisinger
"Feed My Sheep"

What better way to help Christ feed His sheep than by learning to nourish ourselves and others with those things that truly feed us.

Sloan has always been a "happy soul" (says her mother) and loves the gospel of Jesus Christ! Additionally, she loves listening to the words of the prophets, traveling, learning, smiling, laughing, connecting with others, and making memories with family and friends most of all.
As a missionary in the Hawaii, Honolulu Mission (1986-1988), she not only gained confidence as she strengthened her relationship with Christ, but also developed a love of sunshine and water. Since then, she has been blessed to live in Washington State, Okinawa Japan, Guam, and Saudi Arabia. Sloan and her husband, Chad, now live on the Camp Zama Military Base near Tokyo while Chad teaches high school Japanese.
One of Sloan's favorite topics of conversation is health and nutrition. After studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, she became a health coach and focused for several years on helping women see how food is simply secondary to those things that truly nourish us. One other favorite topic of conversation is her family. She loves spending time with her four beautiful grandbabies (as well as her children) and is excited to welcome number five in April and number six in August!

Liz Sutton
They Also Serve Who Stand and Wait

Drawing on stories from scripture, LDS history, and classical literature, we'll talk about how to live with purpose and meaning while in the process of “waiting upon the Lord” to learn “what He would have us do.”

Hi, my name is Elizabeth Sutton, and I’ve been teaching English Language Arts to high schoolers for 25 years. I’m currently a teacher at Singapore American School, where I teach a variety of courses, including Digital Media Literacy, Creative Writing, and World Literature. Reading and speaking about literature is my calling in life. My passion and life’s mission is to “seek…out the best books” and share their messages—especially ones of faith, hope, and redemption—with others.
I served a mission to Hiroshima, Japan, and graduated from BYU with a degree in English Teaching and Japanese. I attended grad school, studying Reading and Literacy at Utah State University. I’m married to Trent, the boy I sat next to in AP English at Timpview High School in Provo, Utah, but who I didn’t actually meet until I was in my mid-thirties. Trent’s a 3CK himself, and his world view was something I found most appealing when I met him. The day after we married, we moved from Provo to Western New York, where we lived for 13 years. There, we added our two children, Lillian and Asher, to our family. We moved to Singapore in January of 2020.
I love adventuring with my immediate family, baking sourdough bread, and enjoying summer days in the mountains of Utah. This is my first time attending this conference, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to do so!

Nancy Michels
Everyday Influence That Matters: Leading with Faith Where You Are

“My dear sisters, we need you… your ability to lead, your wisdom and your voices.” – President Russell M. Nelson
Leadership is not defined by titles, but by influence. In families, wards, workplaces, and communities, Latter-day Saint women in Asia shape lives every day through faith, conviction, and action. Through reflection and discussion, this session offers practical questions and simple steps to help participants recognize their capacity to lead with a growth mindset, take faithful steps when opportunities look different than expected, and use their influence to bless others in meaningful ways.
If you are navigating change, living across cultures, or wondering how to have a positive influence with or without a formal role, this session will help you reflect, connect with others, and leave with practical ideas for how you can lead with faith and purpose in your everyday life.

Nancy Michels works as an executive coach and leadership advisor and has spent over 30 years helping people lead, learn, and navigate change in a variety of professional settings. Nancy is based in Tokyo, where she coaches leaders around the world through her private practice and facilitates leadership development programs with Harvard Business Impact, Harvard Business School’s corporate learning division. Earlier in her career, she taught in the MBA program at Zurich Business School and worked as a partner with Monitor Group (now Monitor Deloitte). She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics from Brigham Young University.
Nancy is a wife, mother, and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She currently serves in the Tokyo South Stake Relief Society presidency and has had a wide range of callings over the years. Since 2023, she has also served as an ordinance worker in the Tokyo Temple each Tuesday – which has become her favorite day of the week. Nancy is Swiss-American and has lived in the United States, Switzerland, and Japan. She and her husband Dave have four children ranging in age from 16 to 26 and raised their family primarily in Switzerland before moving to Tokyo five years ago.
Drawing on her experience living across cultures, navigating seasons of transition, and serving in both Church and professional settings, Nancy will invite participants to explore how faith, agency, and action can strengthen their influence in everyday life.

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